There are many new features introduced in System Center
Configuration Manager 2016, in this article we will be going to explorer major
new features.

Let’s explore!!

Cloud Computing (Azure)

Microsoft SCCM 2016 release official support for running configuration
manager in the cloud-specifically on Azure VMs. The complexity of SCCM has
always kept it a bit behind in terms of infrastructure support (physical-to-virtual
transition and onsite-to-cloud transition). Azure support removes that legacy
tie.

Each setup must still conform to the software and hardware requirements for traditional Configuration Manager deployments.

Mobile management

These
scenarios can be combined into various hybrid deployments. Each setup must
still conform to the software and hardware requirements for traditional
Configuration Manager deployments.

Mobile Management capabilities has been enhancement and added new additional management capabilities in SCCM 2016 release. These can be used in deployments of SCCM when combined with Intune. Microsoft highlights two features: Application Management policies and Enhanced Data Protection.

With Application Management policies, administrators can change the default behavior of apps to provide better security. These policies behave similarly to administrative templates in Group Policy. For Android support, the device must run Android 4+. For Apple devices, iOS 7 or later is required.

Enhanced data protection is not so much about preventing loss of data as it is about preventing stolen data. The first added function is password reset. This allows for the removal of a mobile device passcode (or the setting of a secure temporary passcode). Either method can be done by selecting the device in the Configuration Manager console, choosing Remote Device Actions, and then choosing Reset Passcode. The device will report back after the action has completed.

Remote lock allows a device to be locked remotely. If a user loses a mobile device (and actually reports it to the IT department), the device can be locked through the Remote Device Actions menu. As with the passcode reset feature, the device will report back its locked state.

Additional
features

The Configuration Manager team made many other improvements to
client activity, reporting, and deployments. SCCM 2016 introduces Preferred
Management Points. Physical sites may have multiple management points assigned
in a network boundary. Preferred Management Points allow for a specific server
to be specified for clients in a location.

Client deployment reporting also received a bit of attention. As
the SCCM client is being deployed, client status will appear in Monitoring –
Client Status – Production client deployment. Reporting includes details in
client upgrades and allows drilling down to individual devices.

One final feature that excites me is multiple deployment with
Automatic Deployment Rules (ADRs). ADRs control how updates are automatically
distributed to clients. Before SCCM 2016, one rule was needed for each
collection. For complex environments (or staged update rollouts), multiple
rules were needed for the same update. With SCCM 2016, a single ADR can be
deployed to multiple collections. As expected, each deployment can have
individual deployment properties specified (such as a deadline or UI setting).

As you can see, SCCM 2016 is shaping up to be a worthy upgrade
that will keep System Center at the top of the client management sphere.
Microsoft addressed many of the issues seen in previous versions, adapted its
product for the ever-changing world, and has still made the system management
tool easier to manage.

Windows 10
support

Microsoft’s big selling point for Windows 10 is that it is the OS
for any device, from mobile devices to 100" screens. As expected, SCCM
2016 can support and manage these different device classes.

With previous
editions of Windows, most machines received the latest client OS through a
wipe-and-load process (refresh or replace task sequences). User data was
usually handled through User State Migration Toolkit, and applications were
deployed through collections. This release of Configuration Manager supports
this traditional method of OS deployment for Windows 10.

SCCM 2016 also
supports Windows 10 upgrades through standard OS deployment task sequences.
Some might know this technology as “in-place upgrades,” and many of us have had
bad experiences in the past with it. It is time to use OS upgrades again!

Microsoft made a
huge investment in OS upgrade technology with this release, and it appears
extremely promising. Though anecdotal, my personal computer migrated nearly
perfectly to Windows 10. Only three of my many applications required a
reinstall/update. I am very excited to update corporate machines this way.

Mobile Windows 10
devices can also be managed with SCCM 2016 through the mobile device management
roles. This integrates with a hybrid deployment of Microsoft Intune and allows
for an onsite MDM. Your organization must have access to SCCM and a
subscription to Intune to use these features. Though many organizations won’t
take advantage of it, MDM support is also available for Windows 10 PCs, Windows
IoT, and Windows Embedded devices.

What is New in System Center Configuration Manager 2016
Reviewed by sumit
on
21:02
Rating: 5